“Black and White is essentially an abstract way to interpret and transform what one might refer to as reality.”

-Roger Ballen

That’s an interesting idea. The straight photography movement strove to produce as realistic and objective (or “straight”) images as possible (setting itself up against pictorialism, which specialised in post-capture manipulation techniques, such as blurring or fudging film). Due in part to limitations in technology, they shot almost exclusively in black and white. Ansel Adams did experiment with colour, but preferred B&W, as he felt colour distracted from his art, and relied on tonal differences created by the strong contrast offered by red lens filters (his work in Yosemite National Park is a good example of his use of filters).

In that Ballen quote, he also says that “Black and White is a very minimalist art form and unlike color photographs does not pretend to mimic the world in a manner similar to the way the human eye might perceive” (my emphasis). This suggests he sees colour photography as more treacherous than B&W, which, through the abstraction of not using colour, actually provides a more honest interpretation of reality. It is aware of its own limitations and actively engages with them. Ballen’s abstract style would seem to suggest this as well. Just on my first impressions, the use of abstraction in Ballen’s work seems to have a modernist influence (reminiscent of Picasso, perhaps).

I actually worked with Roger on something and when we met he was telling me about how as soon as you take a black and white image, you actually create a reality that isn’t there, if that makes sense?

Interesting dude.

That’s awesome, so you are a photographer?

Could you tell me a little more about what he means when he says B+W photos ‘create a reality that isn’t there’? Does he mean B+W specifically? There are a number of ways I’m reading this. Is it the connotations to historical records? Arguably all forms of visual media (including text) create an index of a reality, that is not the reality itself (Peircian semiotics and indexes).

All of this leads me on to one of my favourite artworks, if only for the ideas which it provoked me into thinking about for the first time.

I’m not a photographer no. I don’t think he meant it as a grand statement, more in the way that (mostly) people see things in colour. Black and white creates an image instantly that the eyes can’t. If that makes sense.

There are some great pics in this thread already. I love taking pictures, but I just don’t have the knack for it. My wife, however, is pretty decent. I’ve just given her a couple of photography books for her birthday so I’m looking forward to seeing her utilising some new skills!

You’ll regret asking that! Photography is very much a hobby of mine and I absolutely fucking love it. I’m not pretending I’m any good (I’m quite obviously not) but I enjoy the fruits of my labour and I guess that’s all that matters….

A bridge over the river in Tavira, Portugal…

Sunset on the southern most tip of Africa. The smoke drifting in from the right is from a forest fire…

You’ll regret asking that! Photography is very much a hobby of mine and I absolutely fucking love it. I’m not pretending I’m any good (I’m quite obviously not) but I enjoy the fruits of my labour and I guess that’s all that matters….

A bridge over the river in Tavira, Portugal…

Sunset on the southern most tip of Africa. The smoke drifting in from the right is from a forest fire…

They are awesome, I’ve definitely seen them in an exhibition before. I’m thinking maybe in the Tate Modern, or it could be The Photographers Gallery near Oxford Circus. TPG is definitely worth a visit every once in a while to all you London lot, has some great exhibitions & it’s free most of the time.

So I got given a brand new Canon 60D camera and 2 lenses, one apparently is “stock” lens, and one is some other fancy lens (but it’s fucking huge so I’ve not used it)

I’ve never really had a real camera before, so I’ve no idea why everything i’m taking looks so shit, but i’d also be interested in learning what to actually do.

I’ve a few problems.

1. With auto-focus, shit takes FUCKING AGES - even with the quicker of the auto focus modes. Is this affected by which lens one uses? If not, is this normal? What can i do to fix this for “quick” pictures. I can use the more manually focusing modes if i wanted to take a picture of a fucking tree or something, but yeah; i’m pretty lost.

2. I’m not sure what modes to ACTUALLY use and when. The instruction book i’ve been is in chinese or some shit, so i downloaded one from their site - i’ve read it, so i know the NAMES of the modes, but there aren’t really recommendations for when to use what.

To add to this; i’ve used the “sports” mode, thinking the shutter speed would be rapid and i’d be able to capture moving pictures fast and without blur. This seems to be straight up wrong. In sports mode, i can’t alter the shutter speed and it’s just not high enough for anyone actually doing it. Again, is this down to my focus speed being slow? What do people use to ACTUALLY photograph sports? I’ve had more luck with fast-moving pictures with manually setting the shutter speed and aperture etc. and doing it myself :/

3. Every picture of someone moving seems to be blurred, it’s REALLY hard to get a clean picture of anything at all and have it focused. Is there a simple “get the camera out and take a picture” mode for when you just have some people round and you do the whole “SAY CHEESE” thing?

I’m lost as fuck; apparently this camera is good but i’m just terrible at ALL THINGS CAMERA.

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